Seniors learn to negotiate online living

Towradgi woman Elizabeth McEwen picked up an iPad for the first time on Monday and learnt how to search the internet.

The 64-year-old was recently shown how to turn a computer on and off.

Ms McEwen's new and emerging digital skills are opening a new online world for her, in which she is learning to research topics and shop online and compare products.

On Monday, she was part of a group that participated in an Illawarra Tech Savvy Seniors Workshop, held at WEA Illawarra's main centre in Wollongong.

The one-day workshop is complementing a five-week computer course that Ms McEwen is undertaking at the WEA Shellharbour Centre.

"I'm really enjoying learning how to use a computer and an iPad and it has surprised me how much you can learn in a short space of time," she said.

"I feel good about myself because I'm learning something new and also because of the social aspect of learning with others."

Monday's free workshop, held to celebrate 2014 NSW Seniors Week, was delivered by the NSW government and Telstra to teach seniors how to use new technology, stay safe online and connect with their communities.

In the past 12 months, the Tech Savvy Seniors digital training has been offered at more than 70 libraries and community colleges across the state.

Telstra Country Wide Illawarra area general manager Pamela Georgiou said the community hub feel of venues, such as WEA Illawarra, provided an ideal environment for the workshops, allowing seniors to explore and connect with technology at their own pace.